Norinco Type 86S
A Chinese bullpup Kalashnikov variant for the US civilian market.
The Norinco Type 86S is a bullpup rifle based on the AKM platform, built by the Chinese manufacturer Norinco. It was developed specifically for the U.S. export market, where civilian ownership of short-barreled rifles is restricted. Most of its major components are compatible with standard Kalashnikov rifles.
Norinco experimented with bullpup configurations in the early 1980s, producing the WTC-1 and WTC-2 prototypes in 1983. Both prototypes shared design elements with the later Type 86S.
The Type 86S differs from the standard AK-47 in several ways. Its trigger, sear, and hammer assembly sit in a rear extension of the receiver, behind the pistol grip. The operating system remains identical to the AK-47/AKM, except for a connecting rod between the trigger and sear. The rifle is built on the Type 56 platform. The selector switch and safety are thumb-shaped and located on the right side of the receiver, above the pistol grip, offering safe and semi-automatic modes—unlike the sheet-metal lever found on standard AKs. The carrying handle incorporates integral sights inspired by the FAMAS rifle, and a bayonet can be mounted under the barrel. A vertical, spring-loaded, plastic folding foregrip is attached to the front of the receiver; when not in use, it folds forward beneath the barrel. The magazine well sits behind the pistol grip and accepts 10-, 20-, and 30-round magazines, as well as drum magazines. The rear sight is an aperture type mounted on a cam; turning the adjustment knob sets it for 100, 200, or 300 meters. Both front and rear sights are mounted on a combination gas tube and handguard that clamps tightly to the receiver. Two variants were produced: one with a straight charging handle, and another with a curved charging handle.
The Type 86S was imported into the United States by China Sports, Norinco’s import/export arm, for the civilian market. Fewer than 2,000 units entered the U.S. in the late 1980s, before the import of semi-automatic rifles was banned in 1989. The rifle is classified as an assault weapon, which prohibited its manufacture in the U.S. for ten years under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, passed on September 13, 1994. That law sunset and expired in 2004.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- China
- Is Ranged
- Yes
- Manufacturer
- Norinco
- Production Date
- 1980s
- Number
- 2000
- Weight
- 3.59 kg (empty)
- Length
- 667 mm (26 inches)
- Part Length
- 438 mm (17 inches)
- Cartridge
- 7.62×39mm
- Caliber
- 7.62mm
- Action
- Gas-operated, rotating bolt
- Rate
- 600 rounds/min
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Rifles with bullpup configurations were tested by Norinco in the early 1980s, resulting in the WTC-1 and WTC-2 bullpup prototypes in 1983. These two prototypes shared similar elements with the Type 86S. The weapon itself is built based on the Type 56. The Type 86S design departs from the AK-47 in several ways: the trigger-sear-hammer group is housed in a rear extension of the receiver, well behind the pistol grip, while the operating mechanism remains exactly the same as in the standard AK-47/AKM, with the exception of a connecting rod between the trigger and sear. The selector switch/safety is thumb-shaped and located on the right side of the receiver, directly above the pistol grip, and consists of safe and semi-auto positions. The carrying handle has integral sights built in, based on the FAMAS rifle. A vertical, spring-loaded, plastic folding foregrip is mounted on the front of the receiver and folds forward beneath the barrel when not in use. The magazine well is located to the rear of the pistol grip and accepts 10-, 20-, and 30-round magazines as well as drum magazines. The rear sight is an aperture/peep sight mounted on a cam; turning the adjustment knob sets it for 100-, 200-, or 300-meter ranges. Both front and rear sights are mounted on the combination gas tube and hand guard which clamps tightly onto the receiver. Two types of Type 86S rifles were made: one with a straight charging handle and another with a curved charging handle. A bayonet can be attached underneath the barrel.
Reader's Guide
The Type 86S was once imported to the United States by China Sports, Norinco's import/export arm in that country, intended for the civilian market. Fewer than 2,000 Type 86S rifles were imported into the US during the late 1980s before the import of semi-automatic rifles was banned in 1989. The Type 86S is considered an assault weapon, preventing it from being manufactured in the US for 10 years in accordance with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act bill, passed on September 13, 1994; that law sunsetted and expired in 2004. Its significance lies in being a rare bullpup adaptation of the Kalashnikov platform, designed specifically to comply with US short-barreled rifle restrictions, and its limited import numbers make it a notable collector's item. The design's interchangeability with standard Kalashnikov parts and its unique features—such as the FAMAS-derived carrying handle sights and folding foregrip—distinguish it from other bullpup rifles.
Did You Know?
- The Type 86S is built based on the Type 56, a Chinese copy of the AK-47.
- Its carrying handle has integral sights based on the FAMAS rifle.
More in Assault Rifles, Part 3 1-24
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